by Marijane Suttor

Created on: August 03, 2009   Last Updated: May 30, 2011

College class selection may seem like randomly throwing a dart at a dart board, but in fact there are many areas that college students should consider when trying to complete a class schedule. From taking care of the minimum standard requirements to deciding on which courses are important for a major, selecting classes can be a challenge. Before registering for classes, these are several areas to consider for picking college classes.

Basic requirements

The first aspect the college student must consider is the list of basic requirements that the university or state requires. As freshmen and sophomores, students should try to meet as many of these basic required classes as possible. These are the classes that students must take to be granted any degree. Often times there is a specific list of classes that will apply to specific requirements. It is important to consult these lists before choosing classes.

Consider the time slot

Too many students try to arrange their schedule to have Friday afternoons off or a light schedule on a particular day. It is more important to take the right courses from the right instructors rather than having a certain time slot open. For some students who like to sleep in, they hate having early morning classes. In that case if the same class is offered later in the day, it may be acceptable to make that choice, but never avoid a class because it is offered at a particular time of day.

Have an alternative choice

Especially for underclassmen the options for courses can be limited because upperclassmen usually have the first choice. Always have a second or even third choice in mind in case a certain class is filled before it is time to register.

Ask others

Ask other students about teachers and classes. Most aren't afraid to relay their thoughts on a class, especially when it is a basic course in which many sections are offered. There can be a gigantic difference between teachers and requirements. It would be nice to say that it is all about learning, but the fact also is that it is about grade point average. If the same basic algebra class is taught by a teacher that is easy to understand and work with versus one who isn't, it is better to choose the one that is easier. Another factor can be sharing books; perhaps a friend will allow loaning of his or her book for the next semester class. Talking to other students can really help with course selection.

Scholarship requirements

It is important to know what the specific requirements are

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